Pistes d'exploration

Watch videos or research additional images of Lahore’s kite festival. Make kites and decorate them with messages of peace. Fly them in your schoolyard or hang them from a tree or fence.

Using collage materials found in the illustrations, create a scene for a story that you have written. Learn more about Christiane Kromer and how she created the illustrations for this book. 

The bully named his kite Goliath. Discuss the symbolic meaning of this name. Why do you think Malik gave the girl that particular kite? How is Malik like the biblical David? 

Malik says, “. . . at least they will have tasted freedom.” Besides the kites, what else might he be referring to? Write an essay entitled What Freedom Means To Me and share it with classmates.

After reading the book, complete a KWL chart to identify what you now know about the Hindu festival of Basant and what you would like to know. Research the information to complete your chart.

Identify and research spring celebrations familiar to you (St. Patrick’s Day, Easter egg hunt, sugaring-off parties). Share your findings with classmates.

Explain one of these celebrations to a newcomer. Describe it using words, and images in the illustrator’s style.

Look up spring celebrations around the world. Choose one and create a pamphlet inviting people to join you in this celebration. Explain the activities, challenges and food, using the description of Basant on the last page.

Suki's Kimono, I'm in Charge of Celebrations

Mots-clés

Picture book , bullying , celebrations , illustrations (collage) , kites , Pakistan , physical disabilities

Commentaire descriptif

“Basant is the most exciting day of the year” in Lahore, Pakistan, with feasts, parties and children’s kite-flying competitions. This year, Malik has built a special kite named “Falcon,” with plans to defeat the local bully. Malik, who is, incidentally, in a wheelchair, is determined to get back at the boy for taunting him and his sister: “My sister yells right back, but when she turns around, I can see she is hurt inside.” Lovely mixed media illustrations use real threads and brocade cloths from Pakistan for the bright kites that fill the skies, and layered paper cutouts for town structures, with gauzy tissue curtains that flap in the wind. The collages give depth and life to the settings, often playing with perspective. Semicircular archways highlight the Islamic architecture, often framing the simple, poetic text. The sun goes down, and Malik watches from the rooftop as stars appear. His kite has successfully conquered the skies; he is truly King for a Day. And he is already planning for next year. This enchanting tale includes a fascinating page of information about the history of Basant at the back of the book.